Chapter 2 - THE SECRET IN THE AMBULANCE
The paramedics arrived in less than four minutes.
To Alexander, it felt like forty.
They fitted a brace around Evelyn’s neck and lifted her onto a stretcher.
“Possible concussion,” one paramedic said. “Possible fractured ribs. We need imaging.”
“I’m coming with her.”
Alexander climbed into the ambulance.
Marcus stayed behind.
He stood in the lobby with Victoria.
Two guards blocked the doors.
Victoria folded her arms.
“You can’t hold me here.”
Marcus looked at her calmly.
“I’m not holding you.”
“You have men at every exit.”
“For Mrs. Parker’s safety.”
“She already left.”
Marcus gave her a humorless smile.
“Then I guess they’re for yours.”
Victoria glared at him.
Inside the ambulance, Alexander held Evelyn’s hand.
She looked smaller than he remembered.
For years, he had seen her as strong.
Unbreakable.
The woman who worked two jobs, raised him alone, stretched grocery money until payday, and never once let him see her cry.
Now there was blood in her gray hair.
“Mom,” he said quietly. “What did you mean about Dad?”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“Not here.”
“You scared me.”
“I know.”
“You said Victoria knows something.”
Evelyn opened her eyes.
“She came to my house last week.”
Alexander stiffened.
“What?”
“She wanted me to sign something.”
“What kind of something?”
“A statement.”
He frowned.
“Saying what?”
“That your father abandoned us.”
Alexander stared at her.
“He did abandon us.”
“No.”
The ambulance hit a turn.
Alexander almost lost his balance.
“What do you mean, no?”
Evelyn looked toward the paramedic.
Then back to her son.
“Your father didn’t leave because he wanted to.”
Alexander’s expression hardened.
“Mom, he disappeared when I was six.”
“I know.”
“You told me he ran off.”
“I lied.”
The words landed harder than any slap.
Alexander pulled his hand away.
“You lied?”
“To protect you.”
“From what?”
Evelyn’s breathing grew shallow.
The paramedic looked over.
“Ma’am, try not to talk.”
Alexander leaned closer.
“From what, Mom?”
Evelyn’s eyes filled.
“From the Reed family.”
Alexander stared at her.
“My family?”
“Your father’s family.”
“My name is Reed.”
“Yes.”
“You told me Dad’s last name was Reed.”
“It was.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Evelyn’s lips trembled.
“Your father didn’t disappear.”
Alexander felt the ambulance grow strangely quiet.
Evelyn whispered,
“He died.”
Alexander stopped breathing.
Then anger rushed through him.
“You told me he was alive.”
“I had to.”
“For twenty-nine years?”
“I had to.”
“How did he die?”
Evelyn looked terrified now.
Not sad.
Terrified.
“Someone killed him.”
Alexander’s face went still.
Outside, traffic blurred past the ambulance windows.
“Who?”
Before Evelyn could answer, the monitor beside her began beeping faster.
The paramedic moved in.
“Sir, I need you to give us room.”
Alexander stood.
“Mom.”
Evelyn tried to speak.
“Mom, who killed him?”
The paramedic pushed Alexander back.
Evelyn’s eyes found his.
And with one weak breath, she said,
“Ask your uncle.”
Alexander froze.
He had only one uncle.
Richard Reed.
The man who had financed Alexander’s first company.
The man he called every Christmas.
The man sitting on the board of every business Alexander owned.
And at that exact moment, back at the mansion, Marcus received a phone call.
He looked at the screen.
RICHARD REED.
Marcus answered.
Richard spoke before Marcus could say a word.
“Where’s Victoria?”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“How do you know she’s here?”
There was a pause.
May you like
Then Richard said,
“Because she works for me.”
